Shark Lover (39 page)

“Can
you believe this?” She asked Chris still in awe. “I can’t believe that we
recovered this. I wonder how it got here. I thought he died while surfing
Stinson Beach.”

“It
is quite amazing. Maybe the water carried it over in this direction or maybe
it’s a sign. Marc wanted you to know that he still loves you and he always
will.” Chris put a hand on her back as she suddenly stood up.

“I
will always love him, but I love you too and I want to spend my life with you.”

“I
know you do. I understand. I love you and I want what is best for you. I’m just
saying it’s a sign from him from above. He’s letting you know how he feels.”
Chris grabbed her hand again and kissed it.

“Now
you just sound like Daddy.” She said giving him a look that he couldn’t help
but laugh at.

“I
guess I am being metaphorical. If I wasn’t into saving the animals of the
planet, I might have been a great philosopher. I just find it strange that you
would find it on this beach at this point in your life at this time. That’s why
I’m saying it must be a sign.” He said as they began walking along the beach
again.

“Maybe
it is, maybe it isn’t. Who knows? All I know is I know who I want to give it
to.” She looked out at the waves knowing it would be the last time she would
come to the beach for a while. The winter months would be cold and Chris had
planned a trip to Mexico for them to go on. She was excited about studying
sharks that were in a different environment. She couldn’t wait for all of the
new and exciting opportunities that would be coming her way in her future with
Chris.

“Who
are you going to give it to?” He asked interestedly.

“Hmmmm,
let’s see. He’s on this beach. He has blond hair, blue eyes and some really
cute swim trunks.” She said trying to be mysterious.

“I’m
thinking that guy sounds a lot like me.” He laughed trying to take the piece of
the board from her.

“Not
so fast,” She giggled. “I wasn’t exactly talking about you.”

They
approached a gray-haired lady with her hair in a bun who was holding a little
boy. The little boy smiled as he played with the bun in her hair. Instead of
being frustrated or reprimanding him, the old lady laughed along with him. In
her eyes, anyone could see the love she had for the young boy. She looked happy
and pleased. The large smile on her face told Cathy so. Cathy couldn’t help but
to smile too. Whenever she saw that little boy, her heart was filled with joy.

“Mommy!”
The little boy squealed with joy as he motioned to be put down and ran towards
Cathy.

She
picked him up in her arms and held him. “I love you, Marc. Look Mommy has a
gift for you. She found it on the beach.”

He
smiled and clapped it between his hands.

“It’s
from your godfather, Marc.” She kissed the little boy on his forehead and he
laughed.

“He’s
a little young to appreciate the meaning of it yet, dear.” Marion had finally
made her way over to where Cathy and Chris were standing. “Give him a few
years. He’ll understand more in a few years.”

“You’re
right. He’s so little right now. In a few years, he’ll be a bright little boy.
Won’t you Marc?” She said as she felt a sense of pride and joy as she held her
son.

“Daddy!”
He squealed as he held out his hands towards Chris, who took him in his arms
swiftly.

Cathy
couldn’t help but to admire the way that Chris held their baby. He was such a
good husband and father. She had no idea how she had gotten so lucky. The way
that Marc touched his face, told her that he loved him so dearly. When she had
first found out that she was pregnant, she had been scared. She didn’t know if
there was enough love in their household for a baby, but once she held her son
in her arms for the first time she knew she would be a great mother. Being a
mother suited her well and she loved every minute of it.

Little
Marc motioned towards the ground and Chris set him down. He ran off towards the
ocean and Chris ran after him with a smile on his face. “Thanks for watching
him Marion, it means so much to us that you want to be involved in his life,”
She said as she genuinely thanked her. “You’re a great grandmother.”

“Don’t
mention it, dear. Watching him has been a joy. I love every minute of it. How
could I not love a little boy who was named in honor of my son? He’s such a
delightful little boy too. With that long blond hair and those crystal blue
eyes, he’s going to be quite the heartbreaker when he gets older.” She smiled
as she watched Chris play with his son near the shore.

“Oh,
he will. But don’t tell him that. I don’t want him to get a big head,” She said
laughing. “I’m so glad you were able to be in our lives. I worried about you
after Marc died and I am happy to see you out of your depression. Little Marc
absolutely adores you. I hope you know that. You have been a great nanny and
grandmother to him.”

Over
the past three years, Cathy had stayed in constant touch with Marion. Not only
was she one of the sweetest ladies that she had ever known, she had been an
excellent grandmother figure to both Cathy and her son. Cathy had often joined
Marion for tea at her house. It was nice to have someone to reminisce about the
good times Marc had in his life. It had helped both women get through the
grieving process faster.

When
Cathy had her son, she couldn’t have thought of a better name for him than
Marc. Even though her son looked nothing like the late Marc, she could tell
that he had the same spirit. Maybe one day he would become a surfer like his
godfather had. Cathy could only imagine the possibilities, but she knew one
thing for sure. She loved being a mother. Every second of motherhood was
something new and exciting. She couldn’t wait for the years to come.

“I
love little Marc to pieces. I love him as if he is my grandson and to me he is.
I feel honored that I have been able to be a part of your life. I know I will
die a happy woman,” She said. “When my son died, my world was crushed. I
thought that I would die as a lonely, old hag. That day that you knocked on my
door was really a turning point for me. Not only did I gain a friend, I gained
a daughter.”

“We
have all been very blessed. To think that something positive would have come
out of all of this is crazy. I’m just glad that things ended up the way that
they did.” She took a seat in the sand as Marion slowly sat down beside her.  

Chris
and little Marc ran up the sandy dune to sit next to Cathy and Marion. Marc sat
in her lap and Chris sat down beside Cathy. He put his hand on her thigh
adoring both her and his son. All four of them sat there in peace, looking up
at the sky taking in the sunset. The blue sky had turned into a florescent red
and illuminated the water. The red sky showed signs of promise, hope and love. From
here on out, Cathy knew only good things were to come.

The
End